April 14, 2014 (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) – Check out these fabulous photos from this past weekend’s first round of the UCI XCO MTB World Cup Series held in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Julien Absalon (Fra) BMC and Jolanda Neff (Sui) LIV grabbed victories in the elite men’s and women’s XCO events, respectively, while Jordan Sarrou (Fra) BH-Suntour-KMC and Jenny Rissveds (Swe) Scott-Odlo MTB Racing Team won the U23 races.
Emily Batty (Can) Trek Factory Racing logged the best Canadian result of the weekend with a ninth-place ride in the women’s XCO. Fellow Canuck Raphael Gagne (Can) Rocky Mountain Factory Team scored a great result with a stellar 14th-place ride.
Elite Women’s race updates and full results here.
Elite Men’s race updates and full results here.
- Jordan Sarrou (Fra) BH-Suntour-KMC won the U23 Men's race. © Michal Cerveny
- Jenny Rissveds (Swe) Scott-Odlo MTB Racing Team won the U23 women's race. © Michal Cerveny
- Jolanda Neff (Sui) LIV wearing the World Cup leader's jersey. © Michal Cerveny
- Jolanda Neff (Sui) LIV wins. © Michal Cerveny
- Jolanda Neff (Sui) LIV is known for her fearlessness. © Michal Cerveny
- Multi Van Team takes the World Cup Men's Team lead. © Michal Cerveny
- Raphael Gagne (Can) Rocky Mountain Factory Team scored a PB 14th place. © Michal Cerveny
- Schurter's flat cost him his podium hopes on the day. © Michal Cerveny
- Elite Women's XCO Podium © Michal Cerveny
- Elite Men's Start © Michal Cerveny
- Elite Men's podium © Michal Cerveny
- Emily Batty (Can) Trek Factory Racing pleased with her race. © Michal Cerveny
- Emily Batty (Can) Trek Factory Racing clears a gap jump. © Michal Cerveny
- Julien Absalon (Fra) BMC wins. © Michal Cerveny
- Julien Absalon (Fra) BMC © Michal Cerveny
- Julien Absalon (Fra) BMC receives his World Cup leader's jersey. © Michal Cerveny
- Absolon leading Schurter © Michal Cerveny
